What about medications?
Do you know what you're taking and why?
The American Parkinson's Disease Association has created a simple table explaining the most widely used pharmacological treatments for Parkinson's disease in the United States. Click the link to learn!
Watch my P4P training in process
The clients below each underwent a 6 week exercise training program using the P4P Method. Each session was video recorded and documented with SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes. Each participant is in a different stage of Parkinson's disease, and therefore the P4P training program provided an appropriate starting point based on stage of disease, to address their needs and goals.
Robert, Anthony and Devi, the clients, agreed to participate voluntarily and share their process. Neither Robert nor Anthony have ever experienced Pilates exercises. Devi has been doing Pilates exercises with P4P programming for the last 4 years. Below are the highlights of their training process, and a little bit about each client. Pilates for Parkinson's is privileged and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with each client in their PD journey. Thank you for entrusting P4P with your exercise needs.
ANTHONY
Anthony is 60 years old, and began experiencing Parkinson's symptoms a few years ago. He keeps an active lifestyle with regular walking and bike riding, but has not included exercises specifically for flexibility, balance, or coordination, until he began the P4P program. Without a Pilates exercise background, Anthony was curious and enthusiastic about trying the program to see how it could help him.
At this stage in his condition, early Stage 1, he must seize the opportunity to implement flexibility, balance and coordination exercises DAILY. By consistently practicing his Pilates exercises, he stands the best chance to enhance longevity of physical function and independent living. Fortunately, he has a large and loving family to support him, his Chihuahua 'Tiny' who has supervised each session, and has invested in multiple exercise props to continue on with the P4P exercise programming.
Early Stage PD begins P4P program
7/14
Anthony began his P4P exercise training on 7/14/20, however there was no video footage taken. This first session was to explain what Pilates is, and how the P4P program works. We also discussed possible reasons he would want to participate, and to discuss the history of his condition and current lifestyle. Key components of this first training were to orient him to some of the basic stretches that are used in the program and familiarize him with the props he would be using. Shortly thereafter he purchased his own props and continued the program using his own equipment. He also mentioned he was having some back pain, and therefore was taught the L5/S1 ELDOA to alleviate low back pain.
7/23
This session was also not video recorded due to camera and battery issues. We began work following the P4P format for an otherwise healthy Stage 1 PD client. Although he is very tight, he was able to work through all points on the program. A daily morning stretch routine was recommended based on some of the exercise we did together. Again, since he had no experience with Pilates movement, we worked predominantly to just get him moving with special emphasis on the basic spinal, and leg stretches.
7/30
Seated on stability ball, begin session with review of basic spine stretches: flexion, rotation, lateral flexion, extension. Knee folds to bridging, to shoulder mobility.
8/4
Progress knee folds to roller, adding core stabilization work. Progress lateral flexion over stability ball.
8/8
From quadruped trunk rotation. Introducing Spine Corrector for extension. Teaching the Caregiver how to support his exercise practice.
8/11
Foot mobility & hip flexor stretch
All of the above sessions recalled the same movement patterns, however progressed them by changing the stimulus with a different prop/surface or additional cueing. Cognitive training was applied through conversation about his work as a high school special needs teacher and explanations of the exercise sessions. Anthony was not able to participate in all 12 sessions but for the 6 sessions completed he learned a complete basic beginner movement sequence to improve his flexibility.
P4P program: Stimulate, Progress, Return, Repeat, Look for SPACE.